‏ Psalms 51

Summary for Ps 51:1-65:13: Pss 51–65  ^a These psalms of David share a common thread in their reflection on the experience of evil. In Ps 51  ^b, the psalmist confesses the evil he has done and asks God’s forgiveness. Psalms 52–64  ^c lament specific evils that David experienced. A song of praise (Ps 65  ^d) brings David’s laments to an end.
Summary for Ps 51:1-19: Ps 51  ^e This moving prayer for restoration asks for God’s favor, mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing. Out of a broken spirit, the psalmist confesses and accepts responsibility for his sin (51:3-6  ^f), then petitions God to remove his guilt and renew him inwardly (51:7-12  ^g). The psalmist then recommits himself to a lifestyle of wisdom and joy in the service of God and others (51:13-17  ^h).
51:title  ⁱ regarding the time Nathan ... Bathsheba: See 2 Sam 11:1-27  ^j. The text of the psalm contains no explicit reference to this event.
Summary for Ps 51:1-2: 51:1-2  ^k The repentant offender has nothing to offer God. He needs God’s favor, mercy, forgiveness, and blessing before he can experience renewal and restoration. 51:1  ^l A prayer for God’s mercy and kindness is part of the genre of lament. Sometimes the plea comes from the psalmist’s acknowledgment of his weakness and sin, as here (see also 6:2  ^m; 9:13  ⁿ; 25:16  ^o; 31:9  ^p; 41:4  ^q, 10  ^r). At other times, it arises from the psalmist’s commitment to the Lord (see 26:11  ^s; 27:7  ^t; 119:29  ^u, 58  ^v, 132  ^w). In each case, God’s mercy brings an inner renewal.

‏ Psalms 52

Summary for Ps 52:1-9: Ps 52  ^x Wicked people use words to destroy relationships and communities. They foolishly think that they can be heroes by their words (52:1-4  ^y), but their fate suddenly overtakes them (52:5-7  ^z). In contrast, the godly renew their commitment to the Lord (52:8-9  ^aa) and find their future secure in him. 52:title  ^ab This psalm refers to an incident in 1 Sam 21:1-10  ^ac; 22:9-10  ^ad. The accuser, Doeg the Edomite, is a paradigm of evil.
Summary for Ps 52:1-4: 52:1-4  ^ae Liars foolishly deceive themselves by thinking that they can be heroes by their words. They believe themselves innocent of any charges of evildoing, though they love evil and cause destruction. Those who speak curses, sarcasm, bitterness, arrogant boasting, and deceptions (31:18  ^af; 34:13  ^ag; 59:7  ^ah, 12  ^ai; 120:2-3  ^aj; 140:3  ^ak, 9  ^al) bring about chaos, alienation, and destruction (Jas 3:5  ^am). Their sharp words cut like swords and daggers (Pss 55:21  ^an; 57:4  ^ao; 64:3  ^ap), the fangs of a snake (140:3  ^aq), or a razor.
52:3  ^ar Deceptive speech changes one’s character.
Summary for Ps 52:5-7: 52:5-7  ^as God’s judgment on the wicked will come suddenly and forcibly. The godly rejoice in God’s justice, not in the misfortunes of the wicked. 52:5  ^at God will strike the wicked down like a pagan altar, idol, or unclean vessel (Exod 34:13  ^au; Lev 11:35  ^av; 2 Kgs 10:27  ^aw).
52:6  ^ax In Hebrew, the verbs here translated see and be amazed sound almost alike.
Summary for Ps 52:8-9: 52:8-9  ^ay The psalmist commits himself to a life of trust in the Lord.

• An olive tree lives a long time when cared for (1:3  ^az; 128:3  ^ba). The psalmist desires to be close to the Lord, his Savior and the source of his blessing (18:6  ^bb; 23:6  ^bc).

‏ Psalms 53

Summary for Ps 53:1-6: Ps 53  ^bd This psalm parallels Ps 14  ^be, differing only in verse 5.
Summary for Ps 53:1-3: 53:1-3  ^bf Paul uses the Greek translation of this passage in his description of the depravity of all people (Rom 3:10-12  ^bg).
53:5  ^bh scatter the bones: Israel’s enemies would suffer shameful defeat and lack the peaceful rest of a decent burial (cp. 141:7  ^bi; 2 Kgs 9:10  ^bj; Jer 8:1-2  ^bk; Ezek 6:5  ^bl).

‏ Psalms 54

Summary for Ps 54:1-7: Ps 54  ^bm In this individual lament, occasioned by violent and godless people (54:3  ^bn), the psalmist turns to God in prayer and maintains his focus on God’s help (54:4  ^bo). He prays for God to save him from evil and to judge his enemies (54:5  ^bp, 7  ^bq). 54:title  ^br This psalm refers to the account of 1 Sam 23:19-20  ^bs, when the Ziphites were bent on violence.
54:3  ^bt The strangers were alienated from the covenant community (see 109:11  ^bu; Prov 5:10  ^bv).

• Proud and violent people hold no regard for God or for other people (see Pss 35:11  ^bw, 25  ^bx; 86:14  ^by; Prov 11:16  ^bz).
Summary for Ps 54:6-7: 54:6-7  ^ca In anticipation of God’s response, the mood of the psalm changes from gloom to thanksgiving. 54:6  ^cb A voluntary offering is a sacrifice of praise. Sacrifices of praise are the kind of offering God most desires (see Ps 50:14-15  ^cc, 23  ^cd).

‏ Psalms 55

Summary for Ps 55:1-23: Ps 55  ^ce The psalmist is faced with adversaries whose leader is a former friend (55:12-14  ^cf), and he is overwhelmed with anguish. He turns to the Lord in prayer and commits himself to the Lord for redress (55:22-23  ^cg). Jesus experienced similar suffering when his friend (Judas) betrayed him. He also experienced the answer to the psalmist’s prayer: (1) by taking the place of the wicked and receiving their judgment (Isa 53:7-9  ^ch), and (2) by committing himself to the Father, who rescued (Luke 23:46  ^ci) and rewarded him (Isa 53:10-12  ^cj).
Summary for Ps 55:1-3: 55:1-3  ^ck The occasion for this prayer is an attack by an enemy.
Summary for Ps 55:4-8: 55:4-8  ^cl In the experience of deep anguish, the psalmist confesses that his adversity has become unbearable and he seeks an escape.
Summary for Ps 55:12-20: 55:12-20  ^cm The psalmist’s enemy was once a friend; memories of that close relationship bring him pain (see 31:11  ^cn).
Summary for Ps 55:19-21: 55:19-21  ^co God is good and faithful, but the psalmist’s enemies and so-called friend are deceitful and wicked.
Summary for Ps 55:22-23: 55:22-23  ^cp The psalmist commits all his cares to the Lord.
55:23  ^cq To die young means that one fails to experience God’s full blessing (cp. Prov 3:2  ^cr, 16  ^cs).

‏ Psalms 56

Summary for Ps 56:1-13: Ps 56  ^ct This individual lament moves from petition to confidence two times (56:1-4  ^cu, 5-13  ^cv). 56:title  ^cw David was seized by Philistines concerned about his loyalties and brought before King Achish (1 Sam 21:10-15  ^cx).
56:4  ^cy mere mortals: Or mere flesh, in contrast to the immortal and infinitely more powerful God (see Isa 2:22  ^cz).
Summary for Ps 56:5-7: 56:5-7  ^da The psalmist specifies his charge against his attackers as he prays for their evil to cease.
56:8  ^db The psalmist makes a play on the Hebrew words translated sorrows (Hebrew nod) and bottle (Hebrew no’d).
56:11  ^dc mere mortals (Hebrew ’adam): The psalm also uses two other words for man: ’enosh (“people,” 56:1  ^dd) and basar (“mere mortals,” 56:4  ^de). All express the ideas of mortality and finitude.
56:13  ^df The light of God’s goodness and salvation will replace the darkness of death (see 18:25-29  ^dg; 27:1  ^dh).

‏ Psalms 57

Summary for Ps 57:1-11: Ps 57  ^di The psalmist’s cry for mercy and protection quickly turns into an affirmation of trust and confidence in the Lord (57:1-4  ^dj). When the wicked fall into their own traps (57:6  ^dk), the psalmist will praise the Lord (57:7-10  ^dl).
57:title  ^dm David ... fled from Saul and went into the cave: See 1 Sam 22:1  ^dn or Ps 24:1-8  ^do.
57:1  ^dp shadow of your wings: As a bird protects its young, God protects the one who trusts in him (see 17:8  ^dq).

‏ Psalms 58

Summary for Ps 58:1-11: Ps 58  ^dr The administration of justice is a mark of good government. God expects nothing less from his people. The psalmist condemns Israel’s leaders for abusing their power, and he calls on the Lord to rain down his curses upon the wicked. The demonstration of divine justice will reassure the godly that God is just.
Summary for Ps 58:1-5: 58:1-5  ^ds The administrators of justice were furthering their own interests rather than those of the needy. The absence of justice gradually resulted in a violent society. 58:1  ^dt rulers (or gods): This designation was used for high officials and administrators of justice (82:1  ^du, 6  ^dv). Elsewhere, it might refer to angelic creatures (89:7  ^dw) or to the gods of the nations (82:1  ^dx; Dan 11:36  ^dy).
58:3  ^dz All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5  ^ea); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23  ^eb; Jas 4:1-10  ^ec).
58:4  ^ed Venom here means poisonous speech (see 140:3  ^ee).
58:6  ^ef The psalmist calls on God to break the destructive power of the wicked.
58:8  ^eg When moving over dry ground, snails dry up.
Summary for Ps 58:9-10: 58:9-10  ^eh God’s judgment will come suddenly. The certainty of vindication brings joy to the godly.
58:11  ^ei Vindication is the reward of those who live for God.

‏ Psalms 59

Summary for Ps 59:1-17: Ps 59  ^ej The psalmist laments the power of enemies who conspire with other nations. 59:title  ^ek the time Saul sent soldiers to watch David’s house: See 1 Sam 19:11-18  ^el.
Summary for Ps 59:1-2: 59:1-2  ^em Protect me (or place me on high): When surrounded by evil, the godly pray for God to set them apart for himself and protect them.
Summary for Ps 59:4-5: 59:4-5  ^en The psalmist asks God to show the treacherous, deceptive, and wicked traitors no mercy (see 25:2  ^eo).
Summary for Ps 59:6-8: 59:6-8  ^ep The wicked threaten like vicious dogs, but the Lord responds with scorn.
Summary for Ps 59:11-13: 59:11-13  ^eq The psalmist prays that the wicked will be forced to endure the same agonizing pain they have caused.
Summary for Ps 59:14-16: 59:14-16  ^er The wicked will go unsatisfied, but the psalmist will praise the Lord’s power and unfailing love.

‏ Psalms 60

Summary for Ps 60:1-12: Ps 60  ^es The psalmist laments a national defeat and cries out to God for rescue. 60:title  ^et useful for teaching: This psalm was taught to young people as part of their education.

• regarding the time: See 2 Sam 8:13-14  ^eu.

• Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah refer to the Arameans of northwest Mesopotamia and Syria (see study note on Gen 24:10).

• The tune “Lily of the Testimony” is unknown today.
Summary for Ps 60:1-4: 60:1-4  ^ev When God’s people experience his discipline, they affirm their loyalty and await God’s answer.
60:3  ^ew wine (Hebrew yayin) that sent us reeling: Yayin, the generic Hebrew term meaning “wine,” is often associated with drunkenness (2 Sam 13:28  ^ex; Isa 5:11  ^ey; 28:7-8  ^ez; cp. Ps 104:15  ^fa; Deut 14:26  ^fb; Isa 55:1  ^fc); it symbolized God’s judgment of the wicked (Ps 75:8  ^fd; Jer 51:7  ^fe).
60:4  ^ff God raised a banner over his people to serve as a rallying point and as a source of pride and confidence.

• The fear of God that leads to wisdom (111:10  ^fg) is not weakness; it provides the perspective and strength required to do what is right.
Summary for Ps 60:5-12: 60:5-12  ^fh This section is repeated verbatim in 108:6-13  ^fi. 60:5  ^fj The psalmist prays for rescue based on the special relationship between God and his people.
Summary for Ps 60:6-8: 60:6-8  ^fk The Lord responds with a message of promise. He shares his land with his people as spoils of war. 60:6  ^fl Shechem and Succoth represent Israel’s heartland.
60:9  ^fm Destroying a defeated invader’s capital (the fortified city) would help to ensure that they would not attack again. The capital of Edom was Bozrah, located to the southeast of Israel. Only God could grant victory.

‏ Psalms 61

Summary for Ps 61:1-63:11: Pss 61–63  ^fn In these royal prayers, the psalmist longs for God’s presence. All three psalms concern themselves with the king’s security.
Summary for Ps 61:1-8: Ps 61  ^fo The lamenting psalmist petitions God to protect him and lead him into his presence (61:4-5  ^fp). He prays for God to extend and protect the king’s rule and makes vows to praise God.
61:2  ^fq the ends of the earth: This expression has the connotation of a cry that comes from a place far away from God.

• The psalmist’s heart is overwhelmed with deep anguish.
61:4  ^fr The poet longs for God’s presence and seeks entrance into God’s home on earth for divine protection and care. To be received into God’s sanctuary (literally tent) is the greatest good (see 15:1  ^fs; 23:6  ^ft; 24:3-6  ^fu). The Hebrew word translated sanctuary recalls the Tabernacle and the tent that David built for the Ark (1 Chr 15:1  ^fv). See also study note on John 1:14.

• The shelter of your wings symbolizes God’s protection and care (see Pss 9:9  ^fw; 17:8  ^fx).
61:5  ^fy you have heard my vows: The psalmist’s vows might also be a part of ceremonial sacrifices (66:13-15  ^fz; 76:11  ^ga; 116:14  ^gb, 18  ^gc). He praises and thanks God for his rescue.

• The inheritance refers to the promise of the land (see Ps 60  ^gd), the sacredness of the Temple, the joy of God’s presence (119:111  ^ge), or any similar reward (16:6  ^gf; 37:9  ^gg, 11  ^gh, 18  ^gi, 22  ^gj, 29  ^gk, 34  ^gl; 127:3  ^gm).

‏ Psalms 62

Summary for Ps 62:1-12: Ps 62  ^gn This psalm expresses confidence in the king and offers prayer for him. The king rests in God despite his difficulties. Although his deceptive and powerful adversaries push hard against him, he remains undaunted. He encourages himself and his people to trust in God and to see their human adversaries from God’s perspective, where they appear frail, fleeting, and deceptive (62:9  ^go). 62:title  ^gp Jeduthun: See 1 Chr 25:1  ^gq; also in Pss 39  ^gr and 77  ^gs.
Summary for Ps 62:3-4: 62:3-4  ^gt The enemies desire to topple the king with lies and cunning.
62:4  ^gu My high position refers to the royal throne.
Summary for Ps 62:5-8: 62:5-8  ^gv The psalmist encourages himself and others to place their hope in God.
Summary for Ps 62:9-12: 62:9-12  ^gw Unlike God, humans are transient beings. Even when they thrive, their prosperity is fleeting. 62:9  ^gx not what they appear to be: People often try to look stronger and better than they are.
62:10  ^gy The crime of extortion means using intimidation and threats to make others give up what is theirs, while stealing is taking what belongs to others.
Summary for Ps 62:11-12: 62:11-12  ^gz Strength and unfailing love remain in balance only in God. He cares for his people by ridding the world of evildoers (see 1:6  ^ha).

‏ Psalms 63

Summary for Ps 63:1-11: Ps 63  ^hb The king longs for God’s presence so vividly that he eats, drinks, and sees God’s goodness. Though worn out and harassed by the wicked, the king sees God, and this animates him with praise. God becomes his life (63:3  ^hc), while the wicked perish (63:9  ^hd). 63:1  ^he Together, soul and whole body refer to a person’s entire being.

• parched and weary land: When David was living in the desert, he also found himself in a spiritual wasteland, separated from God’s people and the sanctuary.
63:2  ^hf The psalmist remembers that he had found God to be present in his sanctuary (see 18:6  ^hg; 61:4  ^hh; 62:5  ^hi, 11-12  ^hj).
63:3  ^hk better than life itself: The highest quality of life is found in relationship with God (see 4:7  ^hl; 63:5  ^hm; Prov 16:8  ^hn).
Summary for Ps 63:6-8: 63:6-8  ^ho The psalmist reflects and meditates on God’s presence through the night. In the absence of light, God is the light. The quietness of the night and the longing for dawn provide time to focus on the true significance of life with the Lord. 63:6  ^hp Meditating on God requires focused awareness, concentration, thought, and reflection (see 1:2  ^hq).
63:9  ^hr The wicked were plotting to destroy the psalmist’s life through deception and lies, but they would meet their end.

• The depths of the earth refers to the place of the dead.
63:10  ^hs Wild jackals are associated with desolation and abandonment (Isa 13:20-22  ^ht; 34:10-15  ^hu; Jer 9:11  ^hv; 49:33  ^hw; 51:37  ^hx; Lam 5:18  ^hy; Mal 1:3  ^hz). The wicked will not receive honor in death; their bodies will be left to scavenging animals (Eccl 6:3  ^ia; Jer 22:18-19  ^ib; 36:29-30  ^ic).

‏ Psalms 64

Summary for Ps 64:1-10: Ps 64  ^id This lament decries the destructive plots and arrogant attitude of the wicked (64:1-6  ^ie). The psalmist turns to God in prayer and takes heart in God’s justice because whatever the wicked do will be undone by the righteous judge. The godly will rejoice and grow in wisdom as they reflect on God’s mighty acts.
Summary for Ps 64:1-6: 64:1-6  ^if These verses form a prayer for rescue from bold and powerful liars.
64:3  ^ig their tongues ... bitter words: Liars use their speech to kill. This description might also refer to practicing magic.
64:6  ^ih The enemies create a perfect plan to harm the innocent without getting caught.

• Human beings will sink to unthinkable depths with evil words, acts, or plans (83:3  ⁱⁱ; see Jer 17:9  ^ij).
Summary for Ps 64:7-10: 64:7-10  ^ik What God does is righteous. God undoes what is wicked and pays the wicked back with what they planned for others.

‏ Psalms 65

Summary for Ps 65:1-13: Ps 65  ^il This psalm recounts the reasons why all people should praise and revere God for his almighty power and merciful care for his universe.
Summary for Ps 65:1-3: 65:1-3  ^im Praise is the appropriate response to God’s majestic deeds in redemption (65:3-5  ⁱⁿ) and in nature (65:5-13  ^io). 65:1  ^ip God alone deserves praise and is worthy to have vows made to him.
65:2  ^iq All of us means all humans.
65:3  ^ir you forgive: God graciously removes the guilt of sin (see 32:5  ^is).
65:4  ^it those you choose to bring near: This includes people from Israel and from other nations.

• Only those whom God sees as blameless live in his holy courts (Pss 15  ^iu and 24  ^iv).

• At the Temple, God’s earthly palace, all nations can gather to experience God’s holy presence. No structure can separate humans from God (see Rev 21:22  ^iw).
Summary for Ps 65:6-7: 65:6-7  ^ix God brought order to the mountains, the raging oceans, and the pounding waves (see Pss 95:4-5  ^iy; 104:6-9  ^iz).

• The psalmist compares the chaotic forces of nature with the rebellion of the nations (see 2:1-12  ^ja; 33:6-11  ^jb; 46:6  ^jc).
65:8  ^jd All over the world (Job 38:13  ^je; see Ps 50:1-3  ^jf), people should stand in awe of the Lord.
Summary for Ps 65:9-13: 65:9-13  ^jg The created order provides clear evidence of God’s power (65:6-8  ^jh). He shows his love by maintaining nature. Everything praises the Lord as all the parts fit together harmoniously. 65:9  ^ji The river of God and all rivers demonstrate God’s victorious power and goodness through the order in nature and the regularity of the harvests (see 1:3  ^jj; 36:8  ^jk; 46:4  ^jl; Ezek 47:6-12  ^jm; Zech 14:8  ^jn; Rev 22:1  ^jo).
65:13  ^jp Nature bursts out in praise of the Creator (see 79:13  ^jq; 96:11-13  ^jr; 148:3-5  ^js, 7-12  ^jt; Isa 55:12-13  ^ju).